In a review of many scholarly journals studying negative effects on youth, sexual promiscuity and early sexual activity, are listed as a risk factor along with drug use, delinquent behavior, and violence. However, society is now changing its standards, and is actually encouraging what once was considered (and still is) a risk factor. The encouragement of promiscuity and experimentation along with “sexual rights” are desensitizing our society to sex, and the consequences are great.

Promiscuous behaviors and beliefs are not only risk factors in themselves, they are also a catalyst for a variety of negative consequences. Widely known is their potential for causing pregnancy and STD’s. Other less known consequences are confusion and the destruction they cause to relationships.

During sexual intimacy powerful chemicals are released in the brain. One of these chemicals is oxytocin, also known as the “cuddle hormone.” Oxytocin plays a role in adult bonding and is released during sex. It creates a powerful bond between the two people. This bond is good in a long term committed relationship where it unites a couple. However when couples engage in casual sex this bond leads to confusion and heartache; couples may verbally deny any attachment but cannot change the bonding taking place in the brain.

Dr. Van Epp’s RAM model is used to show the healthy progression of a relationship. In this model couples move through five different stages: know, trust, rely, commit, and touch. Each level moves up as the relationship progresses, but to remain healthy the previous level must be higher than the proceeding one. Touch is the last of these stages because it solidifies what a couple already has established. It is an expression of all they have gone through. Since sexual relations are the ultimate touch it needs to follow after the ultimate commitment of marriage.

Sexual intimacy has also been described as a funnel. Individuals enter in and experience a narrowing of mind and focus. When this takes place in a healthy marriage, it leads to bonding and fulfillment. However when this funnel is entered into alone it leads to isolation, confusion, and guilt. The same process, when entered into in a healthy versus unhealthy relationship, has dramatic consequences, yet society is teaching that sex is good, regardless of the circumstances or outcomes.

This devaluation of sexual intimacy is also affecting marriages. Premarital sex increases the likelihood of infidelity in a marriage. In a premarital relationship individuals are laying the ground work for patterns that will continue throughout their marriage. If there is a lack of sexual self-control before marriage, the likelihood of sexual self control within marriage also decreases. The rate of divorce is also higher for those who have sexual relations before marriage. One study found “women who lost their virginity before 18 doubled their risk of divorce, as nearly 31 percent and 47 percent dissolved their marital unions within five and ten years, respectively.”

Sexual intimacy is a uniting act. It unites people in the ultimate way; no other act can do this. “It is the union of their whole selves—heart, mind, flesh, spirit.” But what we are teaching our children is to disconnect this act from others, and focus solely on personal gratification. If we cannot connect the most uniting form of human expression with another person, how is it that we are able to interact and connect with others on a day to day basis? We won’t be able to. We will start to view every interaction in terms of our wants and desires, regardless of others, and view our urges as uncontrollable things we have no choice but to give into. As this happens we give up our power to make decisions.

Given the confusion and destruction of relationships that comes as we devalue sex, it is easy to see why sexual active teens are more likely to suffer from depression and attempt suicide. This new standard of morality is destroying relationships leading to isolation that then spills over into other aspects of our lives making us even more selfish, isolated, and alone.

Have you noticed that often, in our society, things are not as advertised, reported, or perceived? There is usually more to the story than a casual observation.-few subjects more so than the gay lifestyle. The following is a link to a testimonial of this:

The Commission on the Status of Women (CWS) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Each year delegates from 45 countries meet at the U.N. headquarters in NY to formulate concrete policies on women worldwide.

Volunteers from United Families International just spent the past week in NYC presenting and assisting delegates in formulating the wording in certain “outcome documents”. The language found in these outcome documents gets used everywhere and becomes known as ‘customary international law’. The phrases in the outcome documents have tremendous influence worldwide. United Families is there to help assure that the critical wording in these documents is family friendly. This is clearly a tough job. While the stated purpose of the conference, based on 8millenial goals (MDG’s), are eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieve a universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality rates, improve maternal health, combat disease like HIV/AIDS and malaria, ensure environmental sustainability, and develop global partnerships, there are many NGO’s that use these goals to push comprehensive sexual education and sexual rights for children.

Carolina-Kawika Allen attended CSW with other UFI volunteers. She states:

“Certain NGOs have more sway and power at the UN. Many are using this power to create temporary fixes with long term devastation and oppression. Let me explain… While here at this conference it is clear to see how the solutions posed by very influential NGOs, promoting terms like, ‘reproductive health care for women and girls’, ‘child sexual rights’, ‘comprehensive sexual education’, etc. are in reality something else entirely.

Take for example the Goliath-NGO, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), with its most recent campaign ‘Exclaim’ for ‘child sexual rights’. Here you find that, and I quote, ‘Young people must be able to explore, experience and express their sexuality. They are entitled to do this in positive, pleasurable and safe ways. To secure young people’s sexual rights we must understand how human rights apply to young people’s sexuality’. Note that they are linking human rights directly with sexual rights, a legal move that is intended to codify sexuality in children, with the intent to eventually become legally binding. This campaign never even specifies how young, and in several places the word ‘child’ is actually used.”

As side event on human sex trafficking of children occurred, language that would have children as young as 5 taught masturbation, children as young as 13 introduced to pornography in the name of “sexual health”, and abortion services provided for every young woman by the age of 15 was being debated. Carolina exclaimed, “I sat in my chair fuming at the idea that the very language being included in these outcome documents were essentially ‘grooming’ children as a sexual predator would groom his victim.”

The term “Family” has become the most controversial word at the U.N. Countries that still believe that strong families are the solution to the MDG goals such as eradicating poverty, and hunger, educating children and stopping the spread of diseases are few and weak. They are mainly African, Polynesian, and Middle Eastern nations. The delegates from these countries are under extreme pressure to give way to the sexual rights agenda of the powerful NGO’s. They need the help of the few family friendly groups such as United Families International to stand strong in favor of the family.

Carolina concludes by calling upon the good strong women of the world to help fight the sexual right’s agenda in order to secure the safety of the child/parent relationship and the safety of children around the world. She declares:

“What I have found is the TREMENDOUS need for women, faithful, family centered, child-protecting, women–women like you and me who aren’t ashamed to claim and fight for their families–women who proudly claim their faith—strong and mighty women, who will fight for their children and the world’s children.”

At age eight, Amelia Belchior woke up in her home in Marromeu, Mozambique to learn that her mother had passed away—a short 15 months after losing her father. She and her two-year-old brother were left without parental love and guidance. In the orphanage system, they learned to gain confidence in household work; however, in Amelia’s own words, “I thought I had things under control, but deep inside I always felt something was missing. I felt incomplete. I missed being a child and my self-esteem was low.” Amelia later recognized what was missing at the time: to truly feel cared about—“something every child needs.”

Amelia and her brother were adopted eight years later, and after years of building up self-protections, the transition to break them down and accept love was challenging. “Having come from such difficult circumstances, the transition to [our adoptive parents’] home took some adjusting. No matter how much I rebelled or rejected my new parents when I first came to their home, they persisted in showing love to me and helping me to work on the negative self-views I had developed.”

Amelia describes how her adoptive mother’s persistent, patient encouragement led Amelia to overcome her fears and self-doubts. “After living without parents for many years and then having the blessing of being adopted, I learned why every child needs parents. Through being loved I learned to love; I learned to believe in my inherent worth.” Amelia quickly acknowledges that, “Without my mother’s example and encouragement, I don’t think that I would have felt the love for my neighbors or for myself that I feel now. When I had the support of parents I did better in school and learned manners. I was healthier, happier, and treated others better.”

Today’s post and image are contributed by Seeing the Everyday magazine. Read more about Amelia Belchior’s experience in her article, “To Have Parents,” in Seeing the Everyday no. 24. For more information, go to seeingtheeveryday.com.

Do you ever look forward to the weekend because you know an outstanding movie is coming out? I haven’t felt that way in a very long time.

The 86th Academy Awards which took place on the first Sunday of this month, left me feeling as nauseated as I have been for the past 20 years when I dare to take a peek at what’s happening during the Oscars. There’s always inappropriate innuendo from the master of ceremonies, and sometimes from the nominees themselves. This year was no different. Has Hollywood fallen from it’s golden pedestal? It has its moments, but for the most part, it rates alongside ancient Sodom and Gomorrah for content.

Take for example one of the films up for “Best Picture” this year. The Wolf of Wall Street contained over 414 F-words. That did not include the 82 scatological terms (sh*t), or the 53 anatomical terms. On the scale of profanity, it was a ten out of ten. This picture was exactly 180 minutes long, and contained over 549 profane words (I’m not accounting for all of the “religious” expletives either). I will not touch the amount of prolific sexual content. But its sex/nudity content was also a 10 out of 10. Please do not imagine. Reading over the content made me want to vomit, literally, and I was only half way through. The message after wading through the garbage and having to figuratively scour your brain with a Brillo pad: “white collar criminals get off easy and they are usually still rich when they go free.”

Another nominee for “best picture” was the Dallas Buyers Club, a movie about a homosexual man suffering from AIDS in the ’80s and looking for a cure. The content of this movie, also up with the Wolf of Wall Street, had an 8 out of 10 for sex/nudity, and a 10 out of 10 for profanity (only 104 F-words here). Its message: “fighting against all odds can lead to change.” Wow. How profound. 12 Years a Slave won best picture, (8 out of 10 for sex/nudity and 5 out of 10 for profanity). To wade through its message, you had to endure 133 minutes of several rapes, whippings, degrading behavior of all kind to get the message that: “Slavery in the American South was thoroughly horrifying. Enslavement is immoral.” Yeah. No kidding. I got that message when I read Frederick Douglass’s “Narrative of A Slave.”

Should you leave it up to Hollywood to entertain your family? Do you trust their ratings system? Do you trust Hollywood’s idea of best pictures? The studios are happy to create this kind of garbage, but the Academy actually seemed embarrassed by Matthew McConaughey’s mention of God as he accepted his win for Best Actor when he said, “he’s the one I look up to.” His acceptance speech was temporarily unavailable for viewing on “YouTube,” following the Oscars. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. You can’t make this stuff up. In Hollywood, it seems that right is wrong and up is down. Hollywood does have its moments. But in the world of hits and misses, it generally misses. My opinion, look to a better source to entertain your family.

(My source: the Kids in Mind app, a free app, which I highly recommend everyone have if you’re thinking of seeing a movie….caution: this app tells it like it is, and sometimes its reviews are very raw!)

The internet and I have a love/hate thing going on. It got me through junior high, high school, college, job hunting, Sunday lesson planning, worry-wart mothering, hobbies, genealogy, my Pinterest phase… I mean, I am an internet fan! Good, wonderful, informative, uplifting, uniting, blessed things can come from the internet! But the internet is also rich with things that A) I don’t want to know, B) I really don’t need to see, or C) are overwhelmingly useless in their contributions to humankind. (I won’t go into the blatantly hurtful and evil corners of the internet; we’ll save that for other kinds of posts.)

Last week, I read a post on the internet that has been eating away at my stray thoughts. It wasn’t awful. As a matter of fact, at the time it was unnervingly…funny. It took a few minutes for it to turn into one of the aforementioned useless contributions.

I’m talking about #firstworldproblems. It’s a hashtag affixed to posts (twitter, instagram, facebook, etc) talking about any and all annoying things facing the first world masses. Some are pretty clever, I must admit. But after a simple twitter search, it wasn’t long before I was ticked. Who were these ignorant people complaining about their too-short cell phone chargers and un-instant seat warmers!? Didn’t they know there were people with real problems out there!?

So, while I was still good and angry, I did a little research. I started with this video from Water Is Life, which would have brought me to tears if I hadn’t been so disgusted with my fellow suburbanites. Then I remembered a resource I used often in my college micro-economics class: the CIA World Factbook. Go ahead, take a gander. I let my soap-box arsenal build—an easy feat when you look at world stats on access to drinking water, per capita GDP, percentage of children 5 years and younger who are underweight, population percentages below the poverty line, HIV rates, doctors/hospital beds per 1,000 people, child mortality, education levels… I could go on and on.

Next I made a mental list of all of the gut-wrenching things I had seen in my life, including the conditions and life stories of the children and people I met while doing humanitarian work in Mozambique. The news feed on my phone contributed to my disgust as well. There were people out there complaining about the long line at Starbucks and the Oscars outcomes when hundreds of millions of people (Syrians, Sudanese, Afghanis, North Koreans…) live in fear and violence. I was armed and ready for an epic shower debate: you know, the kind that you have with imaginary opponents in your shampoo-frothy head as you practice for the day when you get to prove your point to the world!

Do you see where this is going?

It wasn’t long (I believe my hair was still wet) before I realized my mistake. I hadn’t learned a thing. I was so consumed with disappointment in others that I hadn’t once taken a moment to be grateful for my own blessings. I’d read a twitter post saying “Ugh, my Lego Indiana Jones sticker came in the mail today, but it’s too cold outside to put it on my car. #firstworldproblems” and immediately think of how insensitive and ignorant this person was of the countless shivering children with not enough shelter, blankets, or fuel to keep them warm; or those who walk miles and miles without transportation; or the overwhelming numbers of families who don’t have enough money to eat let alone buy a sticker. I was so busy with my shame on you’s, that I missed a great many opportunities to be thankful. I had brought judgment into my heart instead of gratitude and awareness. Shame on me.

I sat down. I prayed. I pondered. Then I did another twitter search—this time, however, I had a new perspective. These very same posts had gone from unnervingly funny, to useless contributions to humankind, to sources of gratitude and inspirations for service.

I have a healthy body, a clear and working mind, an incredible husband and two beautiful kids, a graduate education, a home to live in, healthy food to eat, a working car and the ability to pay a mechanic when it’s not. Because my daily struggles do not include worrying about where to get food for my children or whether or not violence will be a part of my day, I am in a position to help.

I can donate time, money, effort, and prayers. I can see #firstworldproblems and take the time to learn from it, ponder it, and be aware of the struggles of others—and if possible, I can do something about it.

There will still be times when I am a hypocrite. Heaven knows there will be moments of judgmental weakness. I am a flawed human. But hopefully it won’t take me too long to remember this lesson.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

With the ratification and signing of this document, many men entered a war almost certain to fail. Our Founding Fathers understood that “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” are God given rights and that government is responsible to protect these rights. They fought the Revolutionary war not for themselves, but for their posterity. “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” affirmed by the people and protected by the government began only after the sacrifice of many men—most of whom did not enjoy the fruits of their sacrifice until the end of their lives. Their sacrifice, unselfishly given, was for their children.

Their sacrifice stirred in the hearts of men throughout the world spurring revolutions in many nations. Democracy and religious freedom found a place in the hearts of men.

Again, we find ourselves in a battle for the God given rights of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.

Our government once protecting all life has turned against the innocent. Some lives are valued less than others. Women, in the names of “freedom” and “rights”, legally terminate the fruit of their wombs. No longer can we say, “our nation and our people sacrifice their lives for the lives of their children.”

Laws that for generations have protected the liberty to speak, believe, and worship according to the conscience of the individual are being sacrificed for laws protecting the arbitrary sexual rights of the individual. Democracy and religious freedom are losing. Men’s hearts are turning from liberty.

As sexual rights remove liberty from the laws, governments falter trying to take the place of mothers and fathers. The costs of social programs stifle the pursuit of happiness.

Slowly, the majority is becoming comfortable with the idea of sexual rights being superior to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. Our children will not know the blessings our forefathers bestowed upon us. They will not understand the meaning of liberty.

Like the Founding Fathers of our nation, our generation is being tested. Are our children important enough to for us to give what we need for their future? Will we sacrifice what is necessary to assure the blessings of our Creator? Will we once again, in the face of opposition and tyranny boldly declare:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Dr. Miriam Grossman, M.D. worked at a campus counseling center for more than 10 years. The young women who came to her were in crisis. They were “working hard to fulfill their dreams: a college education, maybe grad school, a great career, and—at some point—a home, husband, and kids.” But they come to her office in tears because of struggles and setbacks caused by decisions and regrets. “She’s already involved with the wrong guy, or infected with genital warts or herpes. She’s already lost a great relationship, missed an opportunity, or failed a midterm. I’m her doctor, but all I can do is sit there, listen, and hand her tissues.”

Dr. Grossman’s book “Unprotected” should be a must read for every teenager in the United States, Canada, England, France…ok, the world. But until parents and youth leaders can get them their must read copy, here are a few things Dr. Grossman has prepared for young women to read before the regrets begin …information young girls should know before sexual intimacy.

1. Intimacy promotes attachment and trust.

Intimate behavior floods your brain with a chemical that fuels attachment. Cuddling, kissing, and sexual contact release oxytocin, a hormone that announces: “I’m with someone special now. Time to switch love on, and caution off. When oxytocin levels are high, you’re more likely to overlook your partner’s faults and take risks you otherwise wouldn’t…

When it comes to sex, oxytocin, like alcohol, turns red lights green. It plays a major role in what’s called “the biochemistry of attachment.” Because of it, you could develop feelings for a guy whose last intention is to bond with you. You might think of him all day, but he can’t remember your name.

2. Science confirms: alcohol makes him hot…when he’s not.

Science has confirmed the existence of “beer goggles”—when a person seems more attractive to you after you’ve had a few drinks….Drinking affects the nucleus accumbens, the area of the brain used to determine facial attractiveness. It’s probably one of several reasons that casual, high-risk sex is often preceded by alcohol consumption.

3. A hook-up usually leads to regret.

A recent study of the hook-up culture at Princeton University reveals: Before the hook-up, girls expect emotional involvement almost twice as often as guys; 34% hope “a relationship might evolve.” Guys, more than girls, are in part motivated by hopes of improving their social reputation, or of bragging about their exploits to friends the next day.

After the hook-up: 91% of girls admit to having feelings of regret, at least occasionally. Guilt and ‘feeling used’ are commonly cited, and overall, 80% of girls wish the hook-up hadn’t happened. Other studies have shown: 84% of women said that after having sex a few times, …they begin to feel vulnerable and would at least like to know if the other person cares about them.

As the number of casual sex partners increased, so did signs of depression in college women. 49% of students whose hook-up included intercourse never see one another again, and less than 10% of “friends with benefits” develop into romances.

4. A younger cervix is more vulnerable to infection.

Your cervix, the entrance to your uterus, has a vulnerable area one cell thick, called the transformation zone. It’s easy for HPV (the human papillomavirus, which can cause genital warts, and even cervical cancer) to settle there. That’s why most teen girls are infected from one of their first sexual partners. By adulthood the transformation zone is replaced with a thicker, tougher surface. So it’s wise to delay sexual activity, or, if you’ve already started, to stop.

Even though these infections are common, and usually disappear with time, learning you have one can be devastating. Natural reactions are shock, anger, and confusion. “Who did I get this from, and when? Was he unfaithful? Who should I tell?” and hardest of all: “Who will want me now?”

These concerns can affect your mood, concentration, and sleep. They can deal a serious blow to your self-esteem…and to your GPA.

The HPV vaccine is a major achievement, but the protection it provides is limited. You are still vulnerable to other infections like herpes, Chlamydia, HIV, and non-covered strains of HPV. And of course no vaccine prevents a broken heart.

5. He may not know he has HPV or herpes.

Most guys who have a sexually transmitted infection don’t know it….it’s easiest to transmit herpes or HPV when warts or sores are present, but it can also happen at other times, when everything looks OK. Condoms only reduce the risk by 60-70%.

6. The rectum is an exit, not an entrance.

And about those other sexual activities…

Having more than five oral-sex partners has been associated with throat cancer. Turns out that HPV can cause malignant tumors in the throat, just like it does in the cervix.

In a study of sexually active college men, HPV was found both where you’d expect—the genital area—and where you wouldn’t: under fingernails. Yes, you read that right. Researchers now speculate whether the virus can be shared during activities considered “safe,” like mutual masturbation.

According to the Centers for disease Control, approximately 30% of all women will have had anal intercourse by the age of 24. Even with condoms, this behavior places them at increased risk of infection with HIV and other STDs. For example, the risk of HIV transmission during anal intercourse is at least 20 times higher than with vaginal intercourse.

The government website, www.fda.gov, provides no-nonsense advise about avoiding HIV: “Condoms provide some protection, but anal intercourse is simply too dangerous to practice.”

The rectum is an exit, not an entrance. Anal penetration is hazardous. Don’t do it.

“Young women are bombarded with the message: “Exploring and experimenting—as long as you’re “protected”—can be safe, satisfying, and beneficial.”

“Don’t fall for it. It’s easy to forget, but the characters on Grey’s Anatomy and Sex in the City are not real. In real life, Meredith and Carrie would have warts or herpes. They’d likely be on Prozac or Zoloft. Today a woman cannot have so many partners with paying a price….We’re fighting a horde of bugs, and the bugs are winning. It’s no longer enough to communicate with your “partners,” get tested, and use condoms.”

“Any genital contact with another person is a serious matter. A single encounter can have life-long consequences, especially for a woman. That’s not sexist, that’s biology—your biology. Ignorance or denial of this fact will only increase your vulnerability.”

“You’re in control, it’s all in your hands. The distress that often follows casual sex is 100% preventable. Life may throw you some curve balls, but STDs, and encounters you’d rather forget, are burdens that you can avoid.”

“Listen to the lesson of hard science: It’s wise to be very, very careful about who you allow to get intimately close to you.”

Dr. Grossman concludes: “I believe in you. And I don’t want to see you in my office. Now go pursue your dreams.”

This information was taken from the booklet, Sense & Sexuality, prepared by Dr. Miriam Grossman for college coeds.

This week I received an email from a good friend. Among other news, she wrote that she had gone to pick up her birth control pills and was told, “No Charge.”

My first thought? “It has begun! Unrestricted sex for everyone!

With her email she sent a link to an article entitled “Free Birth Control Means Drastic Drops in Unplanned Pregnancies.” The article triumphantly touts that “the number of unplanned pregnancies and abortions didn’t just go down, they plummeted.” This was the result of a study that was done between 2007 and 2011.

“Birth control was offered to more than 9,000 St. Louis teens and adults who were also educated about their options. The study subjects were aged 14 to 45…. All were considered at risk of unplanned pregnancies and were willing to try a new birth control method.”

Results?…”Drum roll: The free birth control program reduced unplanned pregnancies substantially and cut the abortion rate by 62 to 78 percent over the national rate…

The results were published online recently in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. They found that from 2008 to 2010, the abortion rate ranged from 4.4 to 7.5 for every 1,000 women. For 2008 (the last year calculated) the national abortion rate was 19.6 per 1,000 women.”

“The birth rate among the girls aged 15 to 19 in the study was 6.3 per 1,000. That’s far below the U.S. rate of 34.3 for every 1,000 girls of that age range.”

The article was a “feel good” read. We should cheer the results and expect no less from Obamacare’s free birth control mandate.

“Many tend to think of HIV or maybe syphilis as the serious one. But gonorrhea and chlamydia can and do cause a lot of infertility. Twenty-four thousand women in the U.S. become infertile every year as a result of undiagnosed STIs according to the same CDC data. Most women who have chlamydia or gonorrhea have no symptoms, which make awareness and access to screening especially important. We’re still catching so few of the cases. Among 15-24 year-olds infected with Gonorrhea only 200,000 of the estimated 570,000 who have the infection are diagnosed and treated.

Chlamydia: Only 1 million of the estimated 1.8 million are diagnosed and treated.

After I sent the email I remembered an interview I read recently touting a book written by Ms. Donna Freitas entitled, “The End of Sex: How Hookup Culture is Leaving a Generation Unhappy, Sexually Unfulfilled, and Confused About Intimacy.” According to the author students have come to realize that even though “hook ups” are supposed to symbolize the modern mind set, “Don’t get attached,” many students are finding that it is almost impossible to “walk away emotionally unscathed and not caring.” They’re just not good at it. I haven’t read the book, but Ms. Freitas claims that it is the males who are being hurt. I will have to read her book to figure out her reasoning.

Dr. Miriam Grossman’s book entitled “Unprotected” which I have read sights the opposite. It is the young women whose lives are being robbed of the normalcy that accompanies healthy, loving, and loyal relationships.

After reading “Unprotected” I had a knot in my stomach that made me physically sick.

This sexual freedom that is supposedly liberating both male and female from “all consequences” is a big lie. The men involved may be dealing with concern and regret, but it is the women who are being hurt…wounded…damaged…injured…I can’t find a strong enough word that describes the consequences to a woman having sex with multiple partners. Over time the giving of herself, and then the rejection that follows will destroy a woman…if not physically, then emotionally.

Katie Collins, Research Assistant to Dr. Grossman wrote, “Our culture does not properly honor sexual intimacy, and the cost is the health and hearts of countless young people.”

Sex without consequences is one of the biggest lies being disseminated across this country. Free contraceptives may reduce unwanted babies from becoming the victims of this sex-crazed society, but young women of caliber are being broken, confused, misled and defeated. That is a travesty in this world of “caring” and “compassion” and so called “women’s rights.”

Last week I wrote about Hydeia Broadbent, a young woman’s crusade to stop HIV/AIDS.

This week I want to write about some of the “lesser” sexually-transmitted diseases and other problems that are caused by “hooking up.”

There are 19 million new infections of sexually transmitted gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis yearly, which cost $17 billion to treat each year. But there are others—human papillomavirus, herpes, genital warts, hepatitis, trichomoniasis, and scabies, to name just a few. The World Health Organization says that there “are more than 30 different sexually transmissible bacteria, viruses and parasites.” Treatment for those in the United States is also in the billions of dollars per year—that is when they’re treatable and not drug resistant.

Assuming that everyone who is having sex is aware of STDs, I am quite sure that they don’t understand the consequences that those diseases will bring to their lives. One woman tells her story when she learned she had Genital Herpes. I can’t imagine the emotional trauma such a discovery would cause. As a teenager my doctor told me I had athlete’s foot, and emotionally I felt “dirty” until the creams and ointments cleared up the fungus.

Unfortunately, casual sex is expected by too many, and practically revered by leftists. Enter Sandra Fluke publicly demanding that free contraception be given to all sexually-active women. I wonder why someone didn’t argue that the monetary cost of complimentary contraception is miniscule compared with the cost of treating the STD’s that will be transmitted during all that “free” sex.

The facts:

According to a recent CDC (Center for Disease Control) survey only 60% of high-school students who have had sex used a condom the last time they had intercourse.

50% of HS students say they’ve had sex at least once. (This statistic may be low because many don’t consider oral sex as “sex.”)

According to the AP article entitled “1 in 4 teen girls has a sexually transmitted disease” not only did 25 percent of teenage girls have an STD, “among those who admitted to having sex, the rate was even more disturbing—40 percent had an STD.” Black girls suffered worst: 48 percent of them had an STD.

The National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Health stated that the human papillomavirus, which is “spread through direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, and oral sex, causes virtually all cervical cancers and most anal cancers and some vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers (cancers in the middle part of the throat.)” And the risk isn’t limited to women. The title of a 2011 NBCNews.com article adequately sums up the situation: “Cancer spike, mainly in men, tied to HPV from oral sex.” The article added that “we can expect some 10,000 to 15,000 patients with the oropharyngeal cancers per year in the United States, with the great majority having HPV-positive (cancers.) “High risk HPV infections account for approximately 5 percent of cancers worldwide.”

According to the CDC, “Chlamydia and gonorrhea are important preventable causes of infertility,” even though “most women infected with Chlamydia or gonorrhea have no symptoms. There are “an estimated 2.8 million cases of Chlamydia and 718,000 cases of gonorrhea that occur annually in the United States.” Each year untreated STDs cause 24,000 women in the US to become infertile.” STD’s cause approximately one-fourth of all infertility in women, and treatment to rectify infertility can be very costly.

Again I will ask, “Where is the outcry?” If there were enough voices outraged by the outright disregard of the issue that is bringing so much emotional and physical pain, death and monetary waste, maybe…just maybe we could help bring this deception to the forefront.